A Refreshing Christmas Gift

Over the past 10 years I have noticed a directed effort by businesses including the one I work for to avoid the words, “Merry Christmas”.
I’ve heard many, many variations of “Happy Holidays”, and have watched homemade holidays attempt to crowd out the two legitimate celebrations with actual historical significance: Hanukkah, which celebrates the faithfulness of God to His chosen people Israel, and Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus The Messiah, God’s gift of Eternal Salvation to all mankind.

My wife and I went Christmas shopping yesterday, and I was prepared to respond to, “Happy Holidays” with the question, “Which one?” To my pleasant surprise, in nearly every store we shopped someone wished us a Merry Christmas! Even the waitress in the restaurant where we had dinner.

So, I just wanted to say thank you and Merry Christmas to the following:
Winn-Dixie (Groceries)
Wal-Mart
Sears
Target
BJ’s Wholesale Club
Dillards
Mimi’s Café
Carabba’s Italian Grill

Surprisingly, the Salvation Army bell ringers can only say, “Happy Holiday”. I still have to ask them, “which one?” Go figure.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"

Henry W. Longfellow penned the words to what has become a Christmas Classic. His wife had died the previous year in a terrible accident. He then lost his son to death in the War Between the States. In great despair he began the poem, but over the course of its writing, God revealed to him that His Grace was sufficient. You can literally follow the steps back to God in the verses of, "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I heard the bells on Christmas day their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along th' unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"Hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."
Yet, pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men."
Then ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day--
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, good will to men!

My Favorite Father-In-Law's Favorite Hymn...

Started out as a poem by John Newton. A friend of ours asked the other day if we knew that there were more than just the verses that are in our hymnal, so I looked them up and here they are. It's the beautiful testimony of a sinner Saved by Grace, just like me:

AMAZING GRACE

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

What Do You Think?

Talking with my teenage niece the other day and playing a little guitar, she mentioned how she enjoyed playing and writing music. Then she asked an interesting question. “Uncle Allen, do you think God expects us to use the gifts He has given us in our jobs and our church?”

My answer was, Yes, why would He give you a gift if He didn’t expect you to Glorify Him in your life with it. Then I started to think about it…Yes, absolutely yes, and so I should be…what exactly? Well, perhaps using the gifts He has given me to glorify Him with my life.

That caused me to take some inventory. What exactly has He gifted me with? Which gifts have I given back to Him, and which gifts have I excused myself from using for His glory?

It’s an odd dynamic, but the more I give to Him, the more He blesses me with.
Stay tuned, more to come.

Simple Blessings, Powerful Lives

We had a sort of “getting to know you” potluck lunch today between our Sunday School class and one of our Senior Adult classes. The food was fine, but the real treat for me was to see my friend Bro. N sing and play his guitar.

At 87 years young, he still goes at least 3 times a week to the nursing homes to “Play for those old people.”, and he is a regular at the City Rescue Mission Services. Bro. N has for many years been one of my heroes and unknowing mentors of the faith and ministry. An unassuming, gentle in spirit, humble man of integrity.

Several years ago, we were at the City Rescue Mission together. I was leading the music that night with my guitar; Bro. N was there for special music. While we were warming up and tuning up he said, “Hey, how about you helping me out on my songs tonight.” I was blown away that he would actually ask me to play with him. Long story short, I had the privilege of playing guitar with him, and was absolutely thrilled to do so.

Watching him play today brought back a flood of wonderful memories. I trust and pray that I too will be found guilty of Praising God with the talents He has blessed me with all the days of my life.

The Name Game

I have always believed that you shouldn't give your child a name that you couldn't use in the song, "The Name Game" (Anna, Anna, Bobanna, etc.)
Some time ago at the urging of a friend, I started the odd hobby of collecting interesting names of people I have had personal phone contact with. Over a ten year period, I have added many to my list. Perhaps you have spoken with them also. The following is a small sample from my collection:

Malode Outhouse,Larry King, John Lennon,Edward Murphy, Joseph Kennedy, Grace Kelly,

Robert E Lee, Hercules T Koulis, Helen Keller, Shirley McClain, Marry Barry,

Steve McQueen. Danny Thomas, Iva Hart, Yen Yaing, Cliff Edge, Anna Niemiec,

Hulda Heine, Alice Cooper, Shirley Curley, Warren Beattie, Otis Campbell,

James Chames, William F Cody, Springfield Banks, Thomas Canham,

Constant Joy Centella, Richard Cunningham, Rose Bush, Robin Hood.

Have a Banana Fanana Day :)

Have Some Fun On The Journey

Over the past 28 years we have lived in 15 houses and 4 towns. Big towns, small towns, nice houses, apartments and one really tiny house (around 900 sq ft).

When we moved to Vero Beach, for the very first time the Welcome Wagon people came with a bunch of coupons for local business freebies. I said, “We should drive around and get all this free stuff.” My Bride felt it would be totally tacky for us to go from place to place just for free stuff. To avoid embarrassment, I went by myself.

One of the coupons was for the local funeral home. Since I worked at the church behind said funeral home, I thought I would seize the day and drop in on my lunch break.

It was a slow day for them, so I walked in and was immediately greeted in the foyer. “May I help you sir?” The nice lady asked. “Yes, I’m here for my free embalming.” I replied. “Your, uh, free wha…?” “My free embalming.” “Um, could you wait right here??”

She went to the back and another lady came out. “Can I help you sir?” “Yes, I’m here for my free embalming.” “Uh, what makes you think you’re going to get a free embalming?” I pulled the coupon out of my jacket, “I got this coupon from the Welcome Wagon that said to come here for a free gift. I can’t think of anything else you folks would be giving away, and if we could hurry up a bit, I only have about 45 minutes left on my lunch.” “Oh my, um, well that’s not for a uh..”

At that point I couldn’t help but laugh. I introduced myself as the new Minister at the church behind them. She was greatly relieved. Over the years I was blessed to develop a very good working relationship with them. I did many funerals for families that had no church.

Fifty Years or So Ago

Today we had the awesome privilege to participate in the 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration of my friends Mr. & Mrs. “T”. They met when he returned from the Korean War. He says, “I saw her and I was done looking.” She agreed. Two and a half weeks later, they were married.

During the celebration he sang two songs to her, and they renewed their vows to love and cherish each other and to continue trusting God for their future.

I shared the poem below that I wrote for my parents who celebrated their 50th Anniversary a few years ago. God has truly blessed us with the example of His Servants from that generation. May we be found faithful, as they have been, to pass the flame along to the next generation.

Fifty Years or So Ago

Fifty Years or so ago, you looked into her eyes
You fell for her so quickly, it took you by surprise
You knew that very moment that your heart she came to own,
and your love for her has only grown since fifty years or so ago

Fifty years or so ago, he walked into your life;
And from a shy and sweet “hello”, you dreamed to be his wife.
The urgent dropped to incidental; true love had made it so.
His life become your focus, fifty years or so ago.

To tell your impact on our lives, as the children of your love
defies the confines of this verse and the ability of words.
Our faith & families, homes & jobs, the way we see our world,
Is all because your love God granted, fifty years or so ago.

Fun With Moving

A couple of years ago I had occasion to go with my brother in law to the truck rental place. He and my sister in law had closed on their new house that morning and we needed to move all their stuff.

The conversation went something like this; “My name is ‘Allen’s brother in law’, and I have a 26 foot truck reserved with a trailer.” The rep responded, “OK, well, first off we don’t have any 26 foot trucks, so I don’t know who told you we did.” He took a deep breath and said, “I called the 800 number..” She interrupted, “OK, that’s the problem, see the 800 number people don’t know what they’re doing, so let me get them on the phone so that you can talk with them.”

She dialed the number and handed him the phone. He explained the situation to the rep on the phone who told him that it would be impossible to rent a 26 foot truck along with a trailer and that she didn’t even know who would have told him he could. The store rep took the phone from my brother in law and began yelling at the phone rep who promptly hung up on her. She said, “Something needs to be done about this!” He responded, “Finally!” She called and asked to speak to the supervisor in the phone unit. When a supervisor was secured, she began to explain the problem, “OK, ‘phone rep’ just yelled at me and hung up the phone and I don’t have to take that!” She looked at us and said, “There is no excuse for this!” We agreed. After a heated conversation she hung up and with joy proclaimed, “Problem solved.” My brother in law said, “Great, when can I get the truck?” “Oh, you still can’t get the truck, but she won’t be treating me like that anymore.” She said.

He asked, if there was any possibility of getting a 26 foot truck with a trailer to which he was told, no, but he could rent a smaller one if he would pay for 24 hour rental and have it back to them within 14 hours. Unable to contain my amazement, I asked, “Since the truck he has to rent is smaller than the original truck he reserved, could you give him a break on the mileage?” She said, “That won’t be possible.” I asked, “Is there any scenario where the customer wins with this company?” She looked in disbelief and walked away.

Just for fun, see if you can name the Truck Rental company.

Incidentally, FFIL was there also. He kept looking outside. I asked what he was doing. He said he was looking for a any other indication that the circus was in town.

My Friend Bob

I have to start by telling you that my friend Bob L. is one of those people who has "interesting" situations looking for him. He asked when was the best time to plant a back yard garden. Some of the older men told him to "plant by the full moon." Sure enough, the next full moon Bob was out in his back yard after dark with a roto-tiller.

He called our mutual friend, Doug, one day to help him put up a privacy fence. Doug says he pulled in the driveway and saw that Bob had dug the holes for the posts, and had completely assembled the back wall of the fence, laying on the ground. Doug got back in his truck and left.

So now you know a bit about Bob. He and I were talking about church league softball one day. Now Bob at that time was, as the Daniel Boone theme song says, a big, big man. He played first base and did quite well. He told me about one game against the local Pentecostal Church where he was minding his post at first base when the batter hit a line drive right down the base line, and into Bob’s knee. He said, “I’ve never experienced pain like that, I fell like a big tree. I couldn’t move because of the pain.”

The batter immediately called for a time out. He and his teammates rushed to Bob’s side. Bob lay on the ground, unable to move, desiring to be left alone. The batter apologetically said, “I am so sorry Brother, what can we do to help you?" Bob answered, "Nothing, I'm fine, I'm fine. Just let me lay here." The batter paced around, truly desiring to do anything to bring comfort, "Can we at least move you off of the clay and over to the grass?” Bob answered, “Whatever, I don’t care, whatever.” The opposing team gathered around and hoisted him up, depositing him some ten feet away onto the grass where he lay, still in pain.

The batter again approached Bob, “Brother, I know we practice our faiths differently, but, would you mind if we laid hands on you and prayed for you?” Bob responded, “Whatever, I don’t care, whatever.” They gathered around and laid hands on Bob and began to pray. In Bob’s own words, “They were praying for about 30 seconds when I came off the ground, jumping and shouting. Then they all started jumping, shouting, celebrating and Praising God.” I said, “Wow, that’s pretty cool.” “Yeah,” He said, “they had laid me in an ant bed.”

You are a Benevolent Leader

My Results:

You are a Benevolent Leader.
personalDNA
about you
You are a Leader

Your solid grounding in the practicalities of life, along with your self-assuredness and your willingness to appreciate new things make you a LEADER.

You're in touch with what is going on around you and adept at remaining down-to-earth and logical.

Although you're detail-oriented, this doesn't mean that you lose the big picture.

You tend to find beauty in form and efficiency, as opposed to finding it in broad-based, abstract concepts.

Never one to pass on an adventure, you're consistently seeking and finding new things, even in your immediate surroundings.

Because of this eagerness to pursue new experiences, you've learned a lot; your attention to detail means that you gain a great deal from your adventures.

The intellectual curiosity that drives you leads you to seek out causes of and reasons behind things.

Your confidence gives you the potential to take your general awareness and channel it into leadership.

You're not set on one way of doing things, and you often have the skills and persistence to find innovative ways of facing challenges.

You are well-attuned to your talents, and can deal with most problems that you face.

You're not one to force your positions on a group, and you tend to be fair in evaluating different options.

You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.

Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.


If you want to be different:

There's more to life than the practical - take some time to daydream and explore the aesthetic sides of things.


how you relate to others
You are Benevolent

You are a great person to interact with—understanding, giving, and trusting—in a word, BENEVOLENT

You don't mind being in social situations, as you feel comfortable enough with people to be yourself.

Your caring nature goes beyond a basic concern: you take the time to understand the nuances of people's situations before passing any sort of judgment.

You're a good listener, and even better at offering advice.

You're concerned with others at both an individual and societal level—you sympathize with the plights of troubled groups, and you can care about people you've never met.

Considering many different perspectives is something at which you excel, and you appreciate that quality in others.

Other people's feelings are important to you, and you're good at mediating disputes.

Because of your understanding and patience, you tend to bring out the best in people.


If you want to be different:

You spend a lot of time taking care of others, but don't forget to take care of yourself!

Sometimes you can get overcommitted, and when you sacrifice spending time with those close to you, it can make them feel unimportant.

Coach Houllihan

Talking with a friend one day who is the sales manager for one of our local broadcast stations, the discussion turned to the managers he has charge over. He told me about the activities that they are involved in followed with the comment, “We like our leaders to lead from the front.” I laughed, at least initially; I then began to think about the leaders and mentors I respect most in my own life. My Dad, Granddad and my Father-in-law and someone not associated with the family tree, Coach Houllihan.

Mike Houllihan was my coach in gym class from 7th through 11th grade. I first met Coach Houllihan as a mere pick-up-stick of a lad in Junior High school. It was nearly ten years later that I found out his first name was not “Coach”. It didn’t take long for my class to realize that our Coach was different from the other Coaches.

While other Coaches were yelling out commands, “Twenty push-ups, now!” and standing over the troops with a cup of coffee, our Coach was barking commands and doing push-ups with us. When discipline demanded that we all take two laps on the track, Coach Houllihan ran those laps with us. In five years under his leadership, I don’t remember a single time hearing him complain about having to do laps, push-ups, or other various calisthenics. Always there, always with a smile, always encouraging and teaching by example.

While other groups of youthful specimens of athletic potential were whining about having to run four laps before they could go in, our group was happy to comply. At mid-year, my schedule would change and I would have Gym at a different time. There was the Coach, consistently leading by example, regardless of the timeslot.

Mike Houllihan made a tremendous impression on me as a teenager. So much so, that I have employed his method of leadership whenever I have been given charge over a group either professionally or in volunteer service. It would be hard to believe that my Coach spent a lot of time worrying about who might be watching him at any given time. His leadership style was a lifestyle, not a “dog and pony show”.

As Christians in our local churches and professional organizations, our responsibilities will vacillate between “Coach” and “Team member”. Coach Houllihan made it very clear to a group of teenagers that looked like a bunch of microphone stands in sneakers, anybody can be put in charge, but respect is earned. Also, every member of the team is responsible to and for the team.

I think I’ll look up the number and call Coach this weekend; maybe we can do two or three push-ups over the phone. Maybe just one, he’s probably still in better shape than me.

Truly Priceless

It had been a particularly lousy day at work. So much so, that I didn’t want to be around anyone at lunch. Just outside of our cafeteria, there are some nice tables by the lake under young oak trees. It was an overcast and breezy day, so I took me and my attitude outside to eat. I purposefully sat with my back to the building facing the small lake.
About that time, I started talking with God about my crummy day. I said, “Lord, sometimes I wonder if anyone really sees any value in me.”
I had no more entertained that thought when I heard something above me in the trees. A small sparrow was leaping from limb to limb. It was almost audible, God said, “Do you see this little bird? I make sure he has everything he will ever need for his whole life. When he dies and falls to the earth, I’ll know it. He’s only a bird. You are worth so much more to me. My Son died for you.”

I thought about my oldest daughter. Years ago I picked her up from day care in Deltona. We got out of the car and I went to open the door. From behind me I heard her little voice as low as she could speak, “Erin!”, Then in her regular voice “Yes God?”, (low voice) “I love you, Erin.”, In her voice, “I love you too, God.”

It occurred to me that I had just had the same conversation with Him.

Matthew 10:29 (New King James Version)
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
Matthew 6:26 (New King James Version)
26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

I'm Blessed

People ask me how long my wife and I have been together. I say, “Not nearly long enough.” Fact is, from the first time I laid eyes on her I was smitten. I was a bit more timid back then and tried to work up the nerve to ask her to go steady with me.
It was a pleasant surprise one night as the youth were deciding who was riding with whom to go to Pizza Hut, that she (attempting to avoid some other goofy guy) grabbed my arm and said, “We’re riding together.” Someone said, “You two are together?” She laughed and said, “We’ve been trying to keep it a secret.”
I went from secretly smitten, to secretly astonished. We did go to Pizza Hut together and started hanging around together at church. I played guitar at youth activities, and she played piano for the youth choir.
On Friday July 11, I decided that what I truly wanted with all my heart was to go steady with her. That’s what we used to call it before people started going “out” to no particular place.
I asked her out to the Dairy Queen. She said yes, her parents said yes also to my taking along her little brother and sister. Knowing that DQ had a cartoon booth, I loaded up on quarters. While she and I talked about everything but going steady, (because I was chicken) her siblings ran back and forth to the cartoon booth with my quarters in hand.
I got down to the last couple of quarters and decided it must be time.
The happiest moment of my life up to that point was July 11, 1975 at 7:30 p.m. When I stumbled through asking her to be my girlfriend, and she said, “Yes.”
They left on vacation to Tennessee the next day, but I got some cool letters. I keep the picture she gave me in my wallet. Beautiful green eyes, dark brown hair with blonde streaks. Next to my Salvation, she is is the most wonderful blessing in my life.

I love you Babe!
Happy 32nd Anniversary.
Will you still be my girlfriend?

Me

Happy Birthday USA!

When I was a kid in public elementary school, there were three times that a student was not allowed to walk into a classroom. The first was during the Pledge of Allegiance. The second was during Morning Prayer and the third was during Bible Reading.
My parents, my Teachers and even my classmates would stand, take off their hats and hold their hands over their hearts as the National Anthem was played. (They still do.)
And the results: I worship the True and Living God. I’m proud to be an American, and I am especially proud and appreciative of the men and women in uniform who serve our country both here and abroad.

Happy 4th!
Happy Birthday America!
Happy Birthday Papa! (My favorite Pa-In-Law)
God Bless Our Troops!

You've got to know where you've been...

Over the years I've dabbled in a bit of "This and That" in an attempt to find what I truly enjoyed doing.



I have a rich musical heritage. From family stories, I know that my Great-Grandfathers on both sides were very talented, "They could play anything with strings." My Grandpa on my Dad's side was a guitarist who built his own instruments. My uncles all played and were Music Ministers on occasion at their churches. One of my hopes in life was to have just one of their guitars as a keepsake and a reminder, but I have memories and even some video of my uncles playing and singing.



A few years back, I started writing a column for a monthly company newspaper with worldwide distribution. Sloan Wilson (author of "The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit") was a consultant with my company and was my chief editor. He was merciless. That was a wonderful blessing! For the first few months, my articles came back dripping in red ink; "Clarify!", "What are you attempting to say?", "This road leads to nowhere!". He gave suggestions and helped me hone my own style of writing.



From there, I started writing radio PSA's for my church. My oldest daughter was in 3rd grade at the time. I would write the PSA, pick her up from school and drive to the local radio station where we would record for broadcast. I spoke fast, and she was very cute. I needed retakes, she was a first read superstar.



Two years ago I published my first book; "The King's Call". It's about knowing and doing what you are specifically called to do with your life. It is on Amazon.com under the author name "W A Nelson". I'll post a picture and a link just in case you might want a copy. I am currently working on a second book with plans for at least two more.



My Bride, Father-in-Law, Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law are all wonderful and "developing" photographers with an enjoyable knack for writing narratives. (If I can figure out how, I'll give you the links to their blogs.)



So what did I find that I really enjoy as a hobby? Music and Writing.



On this Blog, I'll be posting my thoughts about just anything that happens to cross my mind. A variety of topics, some you may even agree with.